Gemma Darvill leads England women’s Parkinson’s football team on Canada tour
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 10:53 AM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026

Gemma Darvill is leading the first England women’s Parkinson’s walking football team on a tour to Toronto. The initiative aims to raise awareness regarding the role of walking football in managing the progression of Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Darvill’s involvement originated from her experience coaching her father, Les, who began participating in walking football following his diagnosis at age 58. She credits the sport with significantly improving his quality of life and preventing social isolation. The team travels to Canada to promote the health benefits of the activity and provide support for women diagnosed with the condition across the country.
- •Gemma Darvill coaches the first national England women’s Parkinson’s football team.
- •The squad is scheduled to travel to Toronto for a tour.
- •Les Darvill began playing walking football eight years ago following a Parkinson's diagnosis.
- •The program focuses on using sport to mitigate the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms.
- 10:53 AMThe Guardian Sport — ‘Football saved Dad’s life’: meet the coach of the England women’s Parkinson’s team
"It began with getting her dad into walking football after his diagnosis – now Gemma Darvill is taking a national team on tour to Canada When Gemma Darvill’s dad, Les, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease aged 58, joining a walking football team stopped him from confining himself to his own home, and she believes the game saved his life. What she could never have foreseen was that, eight years later, she would find herself coaching the first England women’s Parkinson’s team, helping transform the lives of women with the disease from all across the country. She is set to embark on a journey to Toronto to help spread awareness of the ways in which walking football can help put the brakes on the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. Continue reading...
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